Octopus as food

Humans of many cultures eat octopus. The arms and sometimes other body parts are prepared in various ways, often varying by species and/or geography

Octopuses are sometimes eaten live, a practice that is controversial due to scientific evidence that octopuses experience pain.

Dishes by geography

Galicia

Octopus is a typical dish in Galicia, Spain, they prepare it in a variety of ways, however, one of the most common ways to prepare it is what they call "á feira", in this case, they cook the octopus, cut it and add salt, olive oil and some spicy paprika, in some cases, octopus may be accompanied with some cooked potatoes.

On the Tunisian island of Djerba, local people catch octopuses by taking advantage of the animals' habit of hiding in safe places during the night. In the evening, they put grey ceramic pots on the sea bed. The morning of the following day they check them for octopuses sheltered there. Also unlike its other Maghreb neighbor, seafood, including octopus is used extensively in Tunisia, grilled, roasted, in couscous, pastas or chorbas.

A common scene in the Greek islands is octopuses hanging in the sunlight from a rope, just like laundry from a clothesline. They are often caught by spear fishing close to the shore. The fisherman brings his prey to land and tenderizes the flesh by pounding the carcass against a stone surface. Thus treated, they are hung out to dry, and later will be served grilled, either hot or chilled in a salad. They are considered a superb meze, especially alongside ouzo.

United States

Octopus is eaten regularly in Hawaii, since many popular dishes are Asian in origin. Locally known by their Hawaiian or Japanese names (he'e and tako, respectively), octopus is also a popular fish bait.

Controversy

Sannakji is live octopus that has been cut into small pieces and served with its arms still squirming.

Live octopuses are eaten in several countries around the world, including the US.[5][6] Animal welfare groups have objected to this practice on the basis that octopuses can experience pain.[7] In support of this, since September 2010, octopuses being used for scientific purposes in the EU are protected by EU Directive 2010/63/EU "as there is scientific evidence of their ability to experience pain, suffering, distress and lasting harm.[8] In the UK, this means that octopuses used for scientific purposes must be killed humanely, according to prescribed methods (known as "Schedule 1 methods of euthanasia").[9]

Nutritional value

Octopus heads are high in selenium and are a risk for cadmium poisoning, even in small amounts.[11] In 2010, over 29 mg of cadmium—14 times higher than the permitted level—was found in the heads of octopus imported to South Korea from China.[12]